Traveloka to Drive Vietnam’s Tourism Growth Through Digital Transformation and Collaboration with the Government

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, November 1, 2023 -- Traveloka, Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, has grown from a search engine in Indonesia to providing tangible and positive impact in the region. A recent PwC study commissioned by Traveloka found that the platform is making significant social, environmental and economic contributions across its areas of operations, delivering positive impact to the recovery of the travel and tourism sector in Southeast Asia. Additionally, it has demonstrated its commitment to driving tourism growth in Vietnam through digital transformation towards sustainable tourism development.

Vietnam's tourism growth

Figures recently released by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam for September 2023 paint a promising picture of the nation's tourism sector. In the third quarter, domestic tourist arrivals surged to 15.7 million, a remarkable 20.2% increase over the previous year. Vietnam surpassed its target of 8 million international visitors by welcoming 8.9 million in the first nine months of 2023. This influx of tourists contributed to an estimated 69.3 trillion VND in revenue, marking a substantial 66.9% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the average hotel occupancy rate soared to 61%, up by 27% from the same period last year.

By addressing various pain points in traveling and making the travel experience seamless and accessible through its innovative travel platform, Traveloka is committed to supporting the growth of Vietnam’s tourism industry and has positively impacted the country’s economy.

With over 18,000 business partners in Vietnam, Traveloka continues to strengthen its position as the leading travel platform, and collaborates with businesses of all sizes and locations to enable them and their communities to grow and prosper. Speaking to local journalists, Caesar Indra, President, Traveloka, shared: “In recent years, Vietnam's tourism industry has shown remarkable growth, with the sector contributing 6.24% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the first nine months of 2023. This contribution, in particular from domestic tourism, is crucial during global economic uncertainties. Traveloka is proud to have played a role in the growth of the tourism sector, empowering over 18,000 Vietnamese micro, small and medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to reach millions of users across the region through initiatives such as promotional campaigns and live streams.”

Trends Shaping Vietnam's Tourism

Traveloka is taking proactive initiatives to navigate emerging travel trends to propel Vietnam's tourism industry and economy. The first half of 2023 was marked by a remarkable surge in international trips made to Vietnam through Traveloka, with close to 90% increase compared to the same period last year.

Event-based tourism is one standout trend driving this surge. Notably, Blackpink’s concert in Hanoi in July served as a prime example. The two-day show witnessed a doubling of accommodation bookings during ticket sales compared to the previous week.

In parallel, sustainable tourism is on the rise. Traveloka's data reveals a remarkable shift in traveler preferences. In the first half of 2023, searches for flights were significantly higher than in 2022, with top destination searches including Ninh Binh and Hoi An. There was also a spike of over 80% in demand for accommodations in Ninh Binh in the first half of 2023 compared to 2022. These destinations are preferred for their natural beauty, cultural heritage, eco-friendly lodging, community involvement, and support for sustainability initiatives, mirroring a growing interest in green travel experiences.

Cultural tourism is also experiencing a renaissance in Vietnam. The country's top domestic destinations for the first half of 2023 include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Hue, which are becoming hotbeds of cultural exploration. The government recognizes the potential of cultural tourism and has launched several projects to promote and enhance this aspect of tourism. Traveloka is committed to supporting these initiatives and championing the cause of cultural tourism.

Empowering Vietnam's Tourism Through Digital Transformation

Digital transformation plays a vital role in the recent achievements of Vietnam’s tourism sector, allowing industry stakeholders to cater to the surging demand, as well as identify and leverage emerging trends. Traveloka strives to lead the promotion of technology and digital transformation within Vietnam's tourism industry, facilitating growth for its travel and tourism ecosystem. On October 31, Traveloka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) to solidify their partnership and establish a long-term commitment towards tourism promotion.

On top of driving sustainable growth, digital transformation also strengthens financial and social inclusion. With over 30 payment options available across Southeast Asia, Traveloka makes travel more accessible and inclusive. In the recent commissioned study, 86% of businesses agreed that Traveloka has been instrumental in promoting their products and services, extending their local market and tourism reach through digital channels.

“I am excited by the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead to drive positive impact through digital innovation. Traveloka will continue collaborating closely with our partners and stakeholders to enable progress for Vietnam's tourism sector. We are committed to helping businesses and communities grow and prosper as we work towards our mission of simplifying travel for all,” said Mr Indra.

In just 12 years, Traveloka has transformed from a search engine in Indonesia into Southeast Asia's leading travel platform. With over 20 product categories and services in three main areas – travel, local services, and financial services – Traveloka continues to innovate and launch new initiatives. The platform’s commitment to making the most of Vietnam's tourism potential is evident in their efforts to stay ahead of travel trends, embrace innovation and digital transformation, and strive towards sustainable development for all.

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